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w. M. JEWEL L. ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME.

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w. JEWELL. ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USING THE-SAME.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21. 1919..

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

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WILLIAM M. JEWELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO CHLORINE PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1920.

Application filed. April 21, 1919. Serial No. 291,681.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. JnwnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrolytic Cells and Methods of Using the Same, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates, more particularly, to electrolytic cells and method of using the same, especially in the manufacture of chlorin and caustic alkali and hydrogen, such cells employing porous partitions, or diaphragms, through which the liquid being subjected to the electrolytic action passes.

One of the primary objects of my invention is to effect the delivery of the chlorin gas from the cells, in practically pure condition, or in other words free from admixture with the cathode gases, or air which when existent in the chlorin gas interfere with efficient condensation and liquefaction of the chlorin and frequently are the cause of explosions either in the cells or elsewhere where accumulations thereof occur, as for example in the drying towers.

Another object is to greatly reduce the floor space required per ton of chlorin capacity by arranging the electrodes in such a manner as to obviate the necessity of providing side aisles and intervening spaces between the cell-units for the purpose of dismantling. removing and recovering the cath ode elements of the cells.

Another object is to provide for the maintaining of the outflow of the caustic liquid from the cathodes'in a normal manner and automatically so that the cell is maintained at highest efliciency for a much longer time and with less frequent changes of the diaphragm material than in the case of structures as hitherto provided.

Further objects are to save in anode material required per unit of capacity; to reduce the weight of the cathodes which require hzmdling in recovering the diaphragm portions thereof; to obviate the removal of any electrical connections when dismantling the cells, as for repairs, and other objects as will be understood from the following descri ption Referring to the accompanying drawinge- Figure 1 isa plan view, with certain parts broken away and others shown in section, of a cell constructedin accordance with my invention, the sectional parts being sectioned along the irregular line 1-1 in Fig. 2, and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 2 is a section taken at the line 22 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a section taken at the line 3-8 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the cathode of Fig. 1 with certain parts shown in section. Fig. 5 is a section taken at the line 5 5 on Fig. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the similar anode elements employed; and Fig. '7, a diagrammatic View of a plurality of the cell-units showing one way of electrically connecting them together.

The cell-unit shown is formed of a receptacle, or tank, 8, preferably of earthen ware, or ceramic material, resistant to the substances which contact therewith in the use of the cell-unit, the top of this tank being preferably formed of the end-sections 9 and 10 cemented in place on the body of the tank, and a removable and replacable intermediate section 11.

nected with a glass-tube section 17 of a pipe 18 provided with a valve 19 and'leading from a supply of such liquid, the upper end of the pipe-sections 17 opening into the tank at its upper part through a stopper 20 in an aperture 21 in tank wall, the glass section 17 serving as a liquid gage; an opening 22 forming a drain for the tank through which to drain off the liquid before remov-' ing the cathode elements, as for example,

as is required to recover their cathode portions; an opening in the upper end of the tank, as for example as represented at 23 through which the chlorin gas evolved by the electrolytic action in the cell-unit passes therefrom, it being preferred that the opening 23 be connected with a source of relatively low vacuum to suck the chlorin from the cell-unit, as is common practice in structures of this general type; and openings in the bottom of the tank 8 connected with pipes 24 and opening into a main pipe 25 for conducting away the caustic liquid and hydrogen from the cathodes 12, the interiors of which register therewith. The tank 8 would preferably be supported on a frame (not shown) to provide a space beneath the tank to accommodate the pipes 24: and 25.

The anodes 13 of the cell-units, shown as two in number in the particular arrangement shown, but which may be Varied in number as desired, are each formed as a hollow structure, as for example of graphite is common with anodes for such use, in the structure shown each being formed of two plates 26 of graphite secured at their ends to risers 27 of graphite which pass through notches 28 in the top-sections 9 and 10 as shown of the riser in Fig. 2, these anodes being open top and bottom as shown and resting at their ends upon bars 29, as of glass. The risers at opposite ends of the anodes are connected together, respectively, by connecting-strips 30 of electric-currentconducting material, and these anodes are so spaced apart as to provide between them a space of substantially the same width as the spaces provided within the anodes.

The cathodes 12, of which three are 10- vided in the arrangement shown, to alternatc with the plate-portions 26, or, in other words one cathode being located in each of thoanode elei ents and one in the space between the tw elements 13, are each formed of upper and lower members 31 and 32 of current-conducting material, as for example iron, the upper member 31 having a continuous upwardly-extending flange 34 and the lower member 32 a continuous downwardly-extending flange 35 held together by means of bolts 36 with spacer-sleeves 37 surrounding the bolts and abutting at their ends the members and 32 which are thus rigidly held together in fixed spaced relation, the members 31 and 32 having openings 38 and 39, respectively, therein, for a purpose hereinafter explained. The sides of the cathode element which extend across the spaces between the members 31 and 32, are preferably formed of a metal mesh 40, as for example steel, wrapped entirely around the members 31 and as shown and riveted to the flanges 34; and 35 preferably with washers 41 surrounding the rivets and interposed between the flanges and mesh to facilitate the removal of accumulations of caustic soda, the mesh 40 being covered with diaphragm material, as for example asbestos paper or cloth shown as provided in two i'iatwise-opposed layers 42 and 43. The sheets forming the layers 12 and 43 are of such size that they may be turned inwardly to extend across the top and bottom of the members 31 and 32 as shown at 4A and 45 in Fig. 5, for a purpose hereinafter disclosed.

At intervals along the bottom of the tank 8 are upwar illy extending rods l6 which "1 .1 upwardly through the tank-bottom, J secured in lixed position therein by in s ll and adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of the tank bottom, with washers interposed between the tank-bottom and the nuts lS, these rods, which conduct the current to the cathodes 12, passing upwardly through openings and 51 in the members and 32 and carrying nuts 52 which screw down upon plates of current-conducting material, as for example copper, to augment the conducting of the current to the oathodes, there being two sets of these rods for each cathode. The lower ends of each series of rods ie at each end of the cathodes are electrically connected together as by bars held thereon by nuts 55 screwing on these rods.

The rods d6 not only serve as electrical conductors but also operate to clamp the c=thodes firmly against the upper surface of tank-bottom and thus make a tight joint he tank-bottom.

"ending across the tops of the cathodets are cover-slabs 56, as for example apstone, which rest by their own weight DOE the inturned portions a l of the diam material and form a fairly tight joint, but some of the liquid in which the cathodes are submerged may enter the intericrs of the flanged members 31 depending upon the tightness of the joints at these locations.

it will be understood that in practice the am. s and cathodes are interposed in an electrical circuit and in the case of the use of a number of the cell-units which would be the case in commercial installations, the cell-units would preferably be connected together with the anodes and cathodes of the various cell-units in. series as shown in Fig. I, by employing the connecting bars 57, the terminal bars 30 at the upper end of Fig. 7 being connected with one of the line terminals (not shown) of the electric circuit, and the terminal bars 54 at the lower end of Fig. 7 being connected with the other line-terminal of the circuit.

in the use of the cells the liquid upon which the electrolytic action is to be exerted, as for example salt-brine, would be charged into the tank 8 through the pipe 18 to a point where the cathode elements become entirely submerged in the liquid and the current turned on. Under the electrolytic action of the current the chlorin gas is evolved from the brine externally of the cathodes and is drawn out of the tank 8 through the opening 23. The resultant caustic solution then percolates through the cathode-diaphragm walls and into the interiors of the cathodes from which it, together with the gases evolved in the cathode, passes out through the pipes 24 into the pipe 25, from which it discharges for treatment in accordance with common practice.

As the cathodes are submerged in the liquid the cathodic gases and hydrogen evolved inside of the cathode can not become commingled with the chlorin gas, which latter issues from the cell through the discharge 23 in substantially pure condition.

When it is desired to remove one or more of the cathode elements 12, as for example for purposes of repair this may be done quickly without disturbing the electrical connectors between the several cathodes or anodes, by simply removing the nuts 52 and then lifting the cathode element or elements upwardly out of the tank 8.

In the operation of the cell-units as I prefer to use them, I cause the liquid to be subjected to the electrolytic action to enter the tank 8 at a constant rate of flow and thus a substantially uniform rate of outflow of caustic solution is automatically maintained regardless of increasing resistance offered by the diaphragm walls of the cathodes to the flow of liquid therethrough, as through. becoming clogged, the liquid automatically, as the diaphragms become more resistant to the flow, rising in the tank and building up a correspondingly increasing head, the level indicated at 58 representing the height of the liquid after an increased head has become established.

While I have illustrated a particular construction, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto, as the same may be variously modified and altered with out departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank and an anode and a cathode therein, said cathode being located within said anode and having a porous diaphragm entirely submerged in the liquid being sub jected to the electrolytic action.

2. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank and an anode and a cathode therein, said cathode being located within said anode and presenting a perforated member of current-conducting material and a porous diaphragm between said metalelemerit and the anode, said cathode being entirely submerged in the liquid being subjected to the electrolytic action.

3. A cathode element in the form of a hollow body with a porous diaphragm portion entirely encircling and contacting throughout its area with said body.

4. A cathode element in the form of a hollow body, the entire encircling side wall of which is perf0rated,'with a porous diaphragm portion surrounding it and contacting throughout its area with said body, whereby the liquid percolates into the interior of the body throughout its periphery.

5. In an electrolytic cell, thecombination of a tank and an anode and a cathode therein, with said cathode located within said anode, said cathode being submerged in the liquid in the tank and said cathode being formed with a porous diaphragm portion, said cathode being unexposed to the liquid except through said diaphragm portion.

6. A cathode element formed of an upper member, a lower member, connectors connecting said members together intermediate the edges of said members to hold said members in spaced relation, a perforated mem ber of current-conducting material connected with said members and a porous diaphragm portion extending throughout the side walls of said cathode element.

7. A cathode element formed of an upper member, a lower member, connectors connecting said members together intermediate the edges of said members to hold said members in spaced relation, said members having flanges, avperforated member of ourrent-conducting material connected with said flanges and a porous diaphragm portion extending around the element.

8. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank, a cathode having a porous diaphragm, said cathode providing a space into which the liquid percolates through said diaphragm, and means serving as the mei 1 dium for conducting the current to said cathode and operating to hold said cathode firmly against the bottom of said. tank to produce a tight joint between said cathode and tank.

9. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank, a cathode having a porous diaphragm, said cathode providing a space into which the liquid percolates through said diaphragm, and means serving as the medium for conducting the current to said cathode and opera'ting'to hold said cathode firmly against the bottom of said tank to produce a tight joint between said cathode and tank and including a rod which projects from a wall of the tank into the latter and connects with said cathode.

10. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank, a cathode having a porous diaphra-gm, said cathode providing .a space into which the liquid percolates through said diaphragm, means serving as the medium for conducting the current to said cathode and operating to hold said cathode firmly against the bottom of said tank to produce a tight joint between said cathode and tank and including a rod rigidly connected with the bottom of said tank :and extending upwardly therein, said cathode fitting over said rod, and means engaging said rod and cathode for clamping the latter against the bottom of the tank.

11. In an electrolytic cell, a cathode having a porous diaphragm, said cathode being provided with a cover-element the lower portion of which is submerged in the liquid operated on in the cell and which by its own weight controls the amount of liquid which may pass into'the cathode at the joint be tween it and the body of the cathode.

12. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a cathode, and an anode surrounding said cathode on all sides.

13. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a hollow cathode presenting a porous diaphragm on all sides, and an anode surrounding said cathode on all sides.

1.4. An anode formed of an encircling wall of anode material and risers connected with said wall at opposite ends of the anode.

15. An anode formed of risers spaced apart and plates spanning the space between said risers, located at opposite sides thereof and connected with said risers and forming therewith a hollow anode, said risers being located at the ends of said plates.

16. In an electrolytic cell the combination of a tank, an anode and a cathode therein, an electrical connection for said anode, means connected with said tank through the medium of which current connection is made with said cathode, said cathode being removable from said tank without disturbing the current-connection connected with the tank for said cathode or said anode and its electrical connection.

17. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank, an anode and a cathode therein, and means connected with said tank through the medium of which current connection is made with said cathode, said cathode being removable from said tank without disturbing the current-connection connected with the tank for said cathode.

18. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank, an anode and a cathode therein, and means connected with said tank through the medium of which current connection is made with said cathode, said cathode being removable from said tank without disturbing the current-connection connected with the tank for said anode, said means including a rod rigidly connected with the bottom of said tank and extending upwardly therein, said cathode fitting over said rod.

19. In an electrolytic cell, a cathode in the form of a hollow body entirely submerged in the electrolyte of the cell and presenting a space, for the cathodic products, containing an outlet, the submergence of the cathode in the electrolyte serving to prevent the passage of the cathodic products from said space except through said outlet.

20. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank and an anode and a cathode therein, said cathode being in the form of a hollow body entirely submerged in the electrolyte of the cell and presenting a space, for the cathodic products, containing an outlet, the submergence of the cathode in the electrolyte serving to prevent the passage of the cathodic products from said space except through said outlet.

21. The combination of an electrolytic cell having a tank and an anode and a cathode located in said tank, the cathode being formed with a porous diaphragm through which the liquid subjected to the electrolytic action percolates, and means for introducing into the tank at a substantially uniform rate of flow, the liquid to be treated, to render constant the outflow of the liquid through the diaphragm.

22. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a tank and an anode and a cathode therein, said cathode being submerged in the liquid in the tank and formed of a hollow body with a porous diaphragm portion entirely encircling and contactingthroughout its area with said body, said cathode being unexposed to the liquid except through said diaphragm portion.

23. In an electrolytic cell, an anode and a cathode, said cathode being located within said anode and having a porous diaphragm entirely submerged in the electrolyte of the cell.

24. In an electrolytic cell, an anode and a cathode, said cathode being located within said anode and presenting a perforated member of current-conducting material and a porous diaphragm between said metal element and the anode, said cathode being entirely submerged in the electrolyte of the cell.

In an electrolytic cell, an anode and a cathode, said cathode being located within said anode and formed with a porous diaphragm portion, said cathode being subn'ierged in the electrolyte of the cell and unexposed to the electrolyte except through said diaphragm portion.

26. The combination of an electrolytic cell having a tank and a cathode located therein, said cathode being formed with a porous diaphragm through which the liquid subjected to the electrolytic action percolates, and means for introducing into the tank at a substantially uniform rate of flow, hollow body With a porous diaphragm p0r the liquid to be treated, to render constant tion entirely encircling and contacting the outflow of the liquid through the diathroughout its area with said body, said 10 phragm. cathode being unexposed to the electrolyte 5 27. In an electrolytic cell a cathode and except through said diaphragm portion.

an anode, said cathode being submerged in the electrolyte of the cell and formed of a WILLIAM M. JEWELL. 

